It’s no surprise that we sweat during a heat wave or workout, but why does it happen before a big presentation? Sweat glands are controlled by your nervous system, Fusco says. You get anxious, and the drip, odor and stains turn into an embarrassing confidence zapper.

Short of hiding in a closet, it’s possible to tame perspiration problems.

We asked the experts for their odor-eating solutions.

Problem No. 1: Pit Stains and Odor

On the Spot: The sweat stains under your arms are so embarrassing, you can’t raise your hand to speak up at meetings.

Roll on an antiperspirant-deodorant. It will get rid of odor and plug up your glands to cut down the sweat, she says.

Drugstore formulas by Dove and Secret work well, but for stronger protection, get a prescription for products such as Drysol and Certain-Dri from your doctor.

Shower at night. To stop sweat in its tracks, bathe before going to bed, dry your underarms completely and apply the deodorant/antiperspirant, Fusco advises. It’ll have more time to do its job and easily penetrate sweat ducts because your body temperature is lower at night.

Add another swipe in the morning and you should be sweat-free for the day. No matter when you apply deodorant-antiperspirant, make sure armpits are completely dry because moisture prevents absorption into sweat ducts.

Wear clothes made of natural fibers like cotton – not synthetics – “because they wick sweat,” says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery.

Problem No. 2: Sweaty Palms

On the Spot: Your palms are so wet, you’ll do anything to avoid shaking hands.

Cause: Nervousness, anxiety and stress can cause sweaty palms.

Solution:

Swipe deodorant-antiperspirant on your palms. Over-the-counter varieties work well, but your doctor can prescribe an extra-strong formula if needed.

Get electrified. Palm sweat can be curbed with a battery-powered device called Dr. Ioic (www.drionic.com). You put your palms in trays filled with an electrolyte solution, Fusco says. “A mild current that you don't feel” may temporarily disable sweat glands, she says. “I have seen this work with patients.” Cost: $140.

Get Botoxed. For people who sweat excessively, “Botox temporarily stops the chemical signals that nerves send to stimulate sweat glands,” Hirsch says.

On the Spot:You never take your shoes off because the odor would clear a room.

Cause: “The average person’s feet produce half a cup of sweat per day!” says Johanna Youner, a podiatrist and spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medicine Association (APMA). Such dark, damp places are breeding grounds for odor-producing bacteria.

Solution:

Wash your feet with deodorant soap while showering. It leaves a protective film that reduces bacteria. Dry your feet completely – especially between the toes – before slipping on socks.

A few swipes of antiperspirant-deodorant can stop sweat glands in their tracks. Roll it between the toes, on top of your feet and on your soles.

Wear cotton socks, which are more absorbent than nylon. Change socks midday to keep feet feeling dry and fresh. Use insoles (such as Odor-Eaters or Dr. Scholl’s Odor Destroyers) made of materials that wick away sweat.

Use Botox, even on your tootsies. It’s expensive but very effective, she says.

If your foot odor really stinks, see your doctor. You might have a mild skin infection.

Problem No. 4: Genital Sweating

On the spot:It’s beyond mortifying to stand up and find sweat stains on your pants.

Cause:Extra folds of flesh in the groin produce more sweat than other parts of your body. Pants and underwear make it worse by limiting ventilation, creating a ripe spot for odor-causing germs, Fusco explains.

Solution:

Wear cotton on the bottom. Powder can help absorb wetness, but be careful what you sprinkle on this private spot.

“Cornstarch can aggravate yeast growth and talc is controversial because of a possible link to ovarian cancer,” Fusco says. Use talc-free powder to be safe.

Problem No. 5: Facial Sweating and Blushing

On the Spot:Your face always gets flushed and sweaty when someone calls on you in a meeting.

Cause:Your nerves control the sweat glands, so being put on the spot can cause your skin to turn several shades of red.

Blushing shows you’re nervous, so then you’re even more flustered.

And if a lunch meeting is on your schedule, hold the jalapenos.

“Some people’s facial nerves are more sensitive to circulating hormones called histamines,” Fusco says. “Spicy foods, alcohol and coffee trigger the release of these histamines and dilate blood vessels, which can make skin red.”

Solution:

Blot, blot, blot. Don’t rub because it increases blood flow to your skin, which just makes it redder.

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